[Interventional treatment of atrial fibrillation - indication, techniques and success rates]

Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia occurring in 2 % of the population. Aside from initiating oral anticoagulation in patients with an increased risk for thromboembolic complications, rhythm control often is the therapeutic target, particularly in the young and highly symptomatic. The ablation of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation has emerged as an alternative to long-term treatment with antiarrhythmic drugs. It targets to isolate the pulmonary veins as the main triggers for atrial fibrillation in structurally normal atria. In the case of long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation, there is no agreement about the ablation strategy and the success rates are significantly lower. This review addresses the underlying pathophysiology, the ablation techniques, success rates and complications as well as alternative invasive treatment options.